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Venables once reigned supreme in Spain, having steered Barcelona to the Spanish title in 1985 and European Cup final the following year.

He owns property on the east coast and calls Spain his second home. Indeed, his enduring popularity on the Iberian peninsular ensured his arrival in Andalucia was front-page news on the Costa del Sol where he displayed an impressive command of the local language.

His players did their best to make sure that his reputation was enhanced. Harry Kewell and most notably Alan Smith wasted good opportunities for an early lead as Malaga suggested they would be the most hospitable of hosts. Their guests cut through their defence with surprising ease with some incisive play despite a swirling wind.

Smith narrowly missed Kewell's delicious cross as Leeds sought to turn their early advantage into reward and Jonathan Woodgate's expert marshalling of his defence ensured there was little cause for anxiety from the mid-table Primera Liga side.

An expertly executed shot from distance by midfielder Raul Iznata was the best they could muster and Paul Robinson was equal to the task, saving with reassuring ease.

After leading the line with strength and dexterity, Smith then resorted to the tactics that consistently threaten to hamper his progress. After needlessly becoming embroiled in a minor melee, he was booked for retaliating after a foul by midfielder Marcelo Romero. A foolish lunge on goalkeeper Pedro Contreras in the 36th minute could easily have ended his evening's work. Luckily, the Spaniard took evasive action.

Venables was quickly out of the dugout urging the talismanic Yorkshireman to calm things down. His lack of control threatened to ruin an otherwise impressive first half and had the raucous crowd baying for Smith's dismissal just when they should have been silenced.

With Woodgate also threatening indiscipline with a cavalier run out of defence that left his colleagues vulnerable, Malaga took advantage. A quick free kick sent Kiki Musampa away on goal but he blazed over from a promising position.

Leeds, who had last beat Spanish opposition on foreign soil in 1967, were quickly back on the offensive and the assiduous Jason Wilcox teed up Kewell whose shot flew straight into the hands of Contreras.

The firm foundations laid down in the opening period were almost shattered within two minutes of the second half. Panamanian striker Dely Valdes was allowed to turn in the penalty area but his shot lacked power or direction and was easily saved by Robinson. Likewise, Smith - seemingly focused again on legitimate duties - when he got the better of two defenders but failed to trouble Contreras.

Woodgate then showed off his ability in the opponents' penalty area with a deft header from Lee Bowyer's cross that drifted just over the crossbar.

Woodgate's opposite number, captain Roteta, followed suit and his glancing header from a Musampa free kick sped just wide of Robinson's far post.

Malaga made a double substitution in the 63rd minute with Edgar replacing Manu Sanchez and Koke on for Iznata, but Leeds continued to hold firm.